EASTNOR continued their good start to the new season with a fine 42-run victory over the newly-named Malvern in this WCL Division Two match.

EASTNOR v MALVERN

Batting first, the home side struggled against the old Ramblers attack of Francis and Thompson as three wickets fell in eight overs with only 23 runs scored.

Jabran Khalid (57) then steadied the ship and with help from Shahid (24) took the total on to 76 in the 20th over before Young claimed two wickets in five balls.

Dan Baker (12) and Zubair (15) continued to support Jabran taking the score on to 143 with just eight overs left. Francis then claimed the Eastnor tail in a five ball spell over two overs, the home side totalling 144, Francis edging with 4-56 and old rival Thompson 3-18.

The villagers made early inroads into the Malvern batting, Shahid claiming two quick wickets whilst Christian Ferreira struck a third blow at 16-3 with 10 overs gone.

Halion (17) and Francis (19) began a fight back for Malvern and were followed by Dovey's 30 to push the runs total on.

Eastnor skipper Jim Sandford swapped his bowling attack around to find a way through, which finally came as Large took four wickets in a seven over spell, removing Dovey at 102 for Eastnor's victory. Shahid finished with 6-31.